Help Modifying Cooler Master 130 to fit 4 HDDs

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AudioBeast

AudioBeast

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Jan 27, 2014
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Hey everyone,

You guys have been awesome with helping me upgrade my HTPC. So I am upgrading my CM 120 Advanced to the new 130 Ultra because it supports water cooling. The only problem is there aren't enough 3.5" HDD bays for my current set up. I have a bluray drive, an SSD (OS), and three 4TB HDDs. So my idea was to buy a HDD bracket (see link) and mount it to the bottom of the inside of the case using an L bracket (see second link). I've been searching for a triple HDD bracket instead of a dual HDD bracket but no luck. There seems to be enough room to do this from the images I've seen online (see third link). Does anyone know of a better route or of a bracket that could support up to three HDDs? You help is much appreciated!

HDD Bracket: http://www.logicsupply.com/components/accessories/mounting-hardware/akhdr-mk15x/

L-bracket: http://store.velo-orange.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/750x750/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/v/o/vo_single_hole_l-bracket-2.jpg

CM 130 bottom HDD placement: http://benchmarkreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/cooler_master_elite_130_drives_installed.jpg

My specs with all the new upgrades:

ASUS Z87I-Deluxe Motherboard
Cooler Master Elite 130 Ultra
Cooler Master Seidon 120M Liquid Cooler
EVGA 600B 600W PSU
Gygabite GTX 770 4GB Overclocked
Intel i5-4670K 3.4GHz CPU (Overclocked to 4.6 if I can keep it cool enough)
Kingston HyperX DDR3 8 GB
LG UH12NS30 Bluray Drive
Seagate 600 Series 240GB SSD (OS)
3 x Seagate Expansion 4 TB
Windows 7 Professional 64 bit

 
Solution
Rammy
There are definitely pre-fabrifcated drive cages which might work, but given the size constraints you probably are better off fiddling with brackets. I don't see why you can't use the double bracket twice (four total) to stack three drives. You might need a washer or two, but it should work
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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Yeah I'm not saying it can't be done, but it'll definitely be challenging to wire. This image perhaps shows the clearance a little better. When you consider SATA, SATA power and your pipes running through there it's going to be tricky for sure. The great thing about pipes of course, you can just bend them over the top or around.

What I would do though, is wait until you have the case (assuming you don't) before you order any extra bits. It'll be a lot easier to gauge how viable your idea is when you can physically stick a HDD inside the case and measure up.

I was going to say the Elite 130 wouldn't be my first choice for that hardware combo, but actually, there isn't really any cases which suit those components (at those dimensions), at least in part because the majority of ITX boards are limited to 4SATA ports.
 
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AudioBeast

AudioBeast

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Jan 27, 2014
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Yeah, my other Asrock ITX board had 8 glorious sata ports but my new Asus Z87I-Deluxe has six 6GB Sata ports. You are correct that I do not have the case yet. I was trying a preemptive strike before it arrives. I'll probably end up doing the dual bracket but I really hope to find a bracket that supports 3 HDDs. The search continues. Do you think such a bracket exists? Or sites that have a DIY section?
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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12,960
There are definitely pre-fabrifcated drive cages which might work, but given the size constraints you probably are better off fiddling with brackets. I don't see why you can't use the double bracket twice (four total) to stack three drives. You might need a washer or two, but it should work
 
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